Heart Failure Medicines and Initial Side Effects

Below you will find a guide to the different heart failure medicines that are available. Most patients find it helpful to understand why a particular medicine needs to be taken including benefits and side-effects, at what dose and at which time points. It is therefore important to speak to your healthcare professional about any concerns or questions you have about your heart failure medicines. Most people with heart failure will need to stay on these medications for the rest of their lives.

There are a few key medicines for heart failure that are available today. They can help to keep your symptoms under control, improve your quality of life, and make you live longer. Some drugs may have side effects – but the benefits usually greatly outweigh the problems. If you do find it hard to cope with some medicines because of their side effects, it is important to talk to your doctor or nurse who can help you. Do not stop taking your medicines or adjust any doses on your own. Your doctor may be able to work with you to find a dose or a similar drug that suits you better. In many patients, the initial side effects of heart failure drugs disappear quickly or improve after some time. Therefore it is essential to stay on treatment and seek the help of your doctor or nurse.

Not all medicines are needed by every person with heart failure. Which medicines are right for you will depend on your symptoms, type of heart failure, general health and lifestyle. Your doctor will also consider any other medical problems you have that may affect your treatment. However, it is very important to take the medicines exactly as prescribed as this will ensure that the medicine works for you. To get the best effects, some medicines must be given at the optimal dose, which usually means that the dosage of tablets should be increased overtime. This is called uptitration, which means gradually increasing the dosage of medicine. Blood pressure, heart rate, and blood test results may need more careful monitoring during periods when medication is changed: your doctor or nurse will be able to advise you. Heart failure medications work in different ways so you will most likely to need more than one medicine at a time. There is a lot of evidence that shows that the combination of heart failure tablets can improve your symptoms, reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital with heart failure and help you live longer. Making a note or chart may help you to keep track. See useful tools on the homepage of this site.

Click on any of the links below to learn more about the different groups of heart failure medicines available:

Download the useful tool entitled “Medicine Chart”.